Momentum gained from a strong showing in the 49ers' last game would be viewed a at least a couple of different ways.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Momentum can be real in the NFL. It's a wave of confidence. And playing confidently, not tentatively, gives teams a better chance to thrive.
Like the 2011 New York Giants, who won the Super Bowl after sneaking into the playoffs with a 9-7 record and beat the 49ers in the conference title game. New York won three of its last four regular season games, after losing four straight from Week 10 to Week 13.